Ruggedized klystron tube



OCL 14, 1952 w. A. JOERNDT RUGGEDIZED KLYSTRON TUBE Filed Sept. l5, 1950 INVENTOR.

WILBUR A. JOERNDT ATTORNE Y y y The present invention Patented Oct. 14, 1952 UNITED Asfrrrrns PATENT oFFlcE RUGGEDIZED KLYs'rRoN 'TUBE Applicationseptember 15, 1950, Serial No. 184,939 c relates to improvements in electrontubes of the velocity modulated cavity resonator type, commonly known as Klystrons.

When Klystrons are incorporated in the guidance systemsof guided missiles, they are subjected to shocks and vibrations not contemplated in the ordinary uses for which such tubes were designed, and as a result they are usually damagedto such extent that in even the less serious cases their frequency of oscillation ismaterially changed, rendering them useless.

One of the principal objects of the present invvvention, therefore, is to provide a Klystron which will 4be of extremely rugged construction so that it will be capable of withstanding without ldamage to its operating eiilciency the severe shocks and vibrations existing in a guided missile under acceleration.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in aKlystron, highly efficient cavity resonator tuning means which will remain in adjustment evenvunder themost severe operating conditions.

A further object is to provide an extremely .rugged Klystron oscillator tube, the cavity resobodiment,l effective means for cooling.

Other objects and many of the attendant adl Claims. (C1. 315-45) vantages of this invention will be appreciated Fig. 3 is an elevation, partly broken away and y in section in the plane` 3-3 of Fig. 2; l

Fig.v 4 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section in the-plane 4 4 of Fig. 2, showing the cavity resonator tuning structure; and

Fig; 5 is an elevation, partly broken away an in section, of a modified form of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1-4 inclusive, and rst more particularly to Fig. 3, some of the structure of a conventional Klystron is shown.

The Klystron comprises a base I carrying a metal envelope 2 which is evacuated and contains the heater and electrodes. has a lower cylindrical wall 3 of relatively large diameter surmounted by a wall 4 of smaller diameter and an uppermost portion or circular head v5 of intermediate diameter. A fiat radial ange 6 connects Walls 3 and 4, and provides a certain degree of flexibility so that W'allsf3 and '4 can move longitudinally with respect to each other to a limited extent.

An inner partition 1, shown as a continuation of wall 3 at the junction of flange "6 andwall 3,

This envelope 2 2 remains substantially stationary -when flange 6 is flexed. 'A smoothing grid 9 is carried by adiaphragm 8 secured to Wall '4, and `a second smoothing grid I 0 is located in a central opening of partition v'I, said parts thus defining a cavity resonator II. When the wall 4 isA forced downward, it carries along the diaphragm 8 and screen 9, toward the'stationary partition 'I and screen I0, thus diminishing the size of the cavity. j

` In carrying the present invention in effect, there is provided a jacket I2, shown'inl vsection in Fig. 3 and in elevation inV Fig. 1. This jacket ,I2 is made of rigid metal, such as steel andis se- .cured rmlyand intimately to the envelope 2, as

by sweated solder. The jacket I2 has at' its upper end a portion I4 of reduced `.diametenfand at the upper end `of said portion' I4 the` said jacket carries an outwardly extending flangeV I5 which constitutesa support. This ange I5provides mounting means for the cavity resonator ltuning mechanism which will now be described.

lelements I'I and I9 to space the plate and flange adesired distance apart. `As best seen in.y Figs.

2 and 4, the plate Is terminates at its rear end in spaced lugs 2| which straddle a link 22 to which they are hingedly attached by a pin 23. The lower end of the link 22 is received between a pair of spaced lugs-24, 25, Fig. 4, extend- Vving rearwardly from flange I5, and is connected to `said lugsby a pin 26. yThis pin has'a headw21 fitting rotatably in a bore in lug 2,5 and is Secured against axial movement by a pin'28 passing through said lug and engaging in a circumferential groove 29 formed in said head. An intermediate portion 30 of the pin 2B, of 'smaller diameter than the head 2'I, fits rotatably in a corresponding bore in the link 22, but 4is not coaxial with the head 21, being intentionally made with a slight amount of eccentricity, so that rotation of pin 26 will move the link 22 up or down for moving plate -IB and tuning the cavity II. Thus the pin 26, having the cylindrical portion 30 non- ;coaxial with the cylindrical portions 2'I and 3I,A

having tapered threads 33 lengaging in a correspondingly tapered threaded bore in lug 24, said bushing being slotted `so that its inner end may contract and grip the portion 3I when the said bushing 32 is screwed intol place, thus normally This portion 3| is mounted for rotation in bushing 32 locking the pin 26 against rotation. A squared end 34 is provided ori-portion 3| for engagement by a suitable kkey or wrench when the pin 26 is to be turned. Pin 26 may also be turned by a screw driver, engaged in its head 2'1, which is v slotted for the purpose. Bushing V32 may be gripped by pliers or turned by means of the slot 32ain its head.

The modified form shown in Fig.' 5 is substan-"vtially the same as the form shown in Figs. 1-4, except that it is provided with cooling fins 35 2. A cavity resonator having means for varying thersize ofthe cavityresonator for .electrically tuning thesame, said means including a jacket, a plate adjustably mounted on the jacket and v connected with the cavity resonator, and eccentric means for shifting the plate with respect to the jacket, said eccentric means including a crank havingtwo non-coaxial cylindrical portions, one ofsaid portions being journaled in the jacket and on its jacket I2a, as well as Ventilating holes 36 in the portion Illa of said jacket. To increase the cooling effect, the jacket I2@ may be made .of brass rv other metalof good head conductivity.

The.operation of the device may be summarized briefly as follows:

-The jacket I2 is ofsuliicent .thickness to pre- Avent distortion ofthe tube envelope under severe shocks and vibration. The continuation I4 of .said jacket provides a rigid support for the flange I5, which inturn supports the upper plate I6, secured to the head 5 of the Klystron.

At the forward end II of this plate, the shims l provide `a rigid abutment `between elements Illand I9, and suchshims may be provided after the desired cavity resonator tuning adjustment V,has been found by experiment. At the rear end Ithe link 22. constitutes a rigid positioning device,

and stays in its adjusted position when the bushing 32 4is tightened.v

Since the headA 5 is thus adjusted up or down by turning the .pin 26, it is clear that any de- .sired adjustment of the cavity resonator II may be secured,.and that said cavity resonator ad- ,justment will be effectively maintained even when @the tube is subjected/to severe shocks and vibration.

The form shown ,in/Fig. 5 may be used where Vit is desirable to limit the' heat, inasmuch as the openings .36 and heat dissipating fins 35 will make it Y.possible to operate the tube at lower .temperatures than the form of Figs, 1-4.

An advantage of both forms of the invention is ythat both the squared end 34 of the pin 26 ,and the bushing 32 are so located that they may ,readily ,be reached and manipulated by suitable tools, such as socket wrenches, screw drivers, or

r.special combination tools designed for the purpose, if preferred, keven after the Klystron is lassembled in a missile or the like, thus making final adjustments ,relatively easy, while at the same time assuringample rigidity to prevent de- .rangement of said adjustments. '.1 Obviously many modifications and variations rof the present inventionare possible in the light of .the above teachings.' It Ais therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise Ythan as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

l. A cavity resonator having conducting walls, a jacket surrounding the conducting walls and having a fiange, a plate mounted above the flange and connected to certain of the conducting walls of the4 cavity resonator, certain other of said conducting walls being connected to said flange, and tuning means for the cavity resonator connected to said plate and said ange and comprising a pin in the flange and having an eccentric portion, said pin and eccentric portion being movable for shifting the plate with respect to the fiange.

a link hinged at one end to the plate and pivoted at its other end on the other cylindrical portion whereby the plate may be adjusted with respect with'thje other side of the plate, means pivotally connecting one end of the link with the plate,

and meansfconnecting the other end of `the link with the flange, said last-mentioned means comprising a pin having an eccentric portion, said pin and eccentric portion being rotatable for shifting one side of the plate with respect to the fiange for changing the shape of the cavity `resonator for tuning the same.

4. An electron discharge device comprising an envelope including a lower wall of relatively large diameter surmounted by a wallr of smaller diameter, said walls defining al flexible radial flange, a diaphragm cooperating with said walls and flange defining a cavity resonator, a sleevesurrounding the envelope and having'a flange, said sleeve being rigid and being firmly secured to the envelope to stiften and reenforce -said envelope, a plate spaced above the ange,

means rigidly connecting one side of the plate to the flange, a wall of intermediate diameter formed 'on the envelope and fitted to'said plate, said last-named wall being rigidly secured to the plate and eccentric means carried by the flange 'and adjustable for shifting the other side of the plate whereby the walls defining the cavity resonator will'be shifted for tuning said resonator.

5. A cavity resonator having yconducting walls, means for varying the size of said cavity resonator, comprising, spaced rigid members engaging certain of said conducting wallsand means vincluding a vrotable crank having 'two non-axial cylindrical journal portions coupled to said respectlve rigid members, for varying the spacing of said members and thus shifting said walls to vary the size of the cavity.

WILBUR A. JOERNDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

` UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,404,116 Wolowicz et a1 July 16 1946 2,411,912 Vance Dec. 3 1946 Y 2,426,177 causen et a1 Aug. 26 1947 2,433,491 Retherford Dec. 3o 1947 2,439,903 Rigrod Apr. 2o' 1943 2,573,713 vKannenberg Nov. 6, 1951 

